Spring Flooding

Warmer Temperatures Could Bring Spring Flooding

Posted on 04/22/2019

A flood advisory is now in effect for the Carson Valley near the West Fork of the Carson River until Monday morning. The river forecast for the West Fork of the Carson River, near Woodfords, is expected to reach minor flood stage each night, as snowmelt increases. Very minor flooding is possible downstream in the Carson Valley each night, until early in the morning.

Impacts:
Potential minor flooding to agricultural areas of the Carson Valley and possibly onto Centerville Lane and Mottsville Lane. People living or farming near the West Fork of the Carson River in the Carson Valley should be prepared to take action, should flooding occur.

With the onset of spring and warmer temperatures, Douglas County would like to remind residents of the potential for some minor spring flooding in the months to come. With the spring run-off, citizens could expect to see some road closures on arterial roads such as Mottsville, Centerville Lane, Muller Lane and Genoa Lane.

In preparation for flooding, the Douglas County Stormwater Division has also been actively committed to the removal of flood debris in our river channels in partnership, with the Carson Valley Conservation District, Carson water Subconservancy, and Nevada Division of Water Resources. The team coordinated the removal of 8,136 cubic yards of flood debris and two large woody debris piles off Highway 88 to increase the channel capacity near the bridge. Debris removal also occurred near the Lutheran Bridge where 8,481 cubic yards of flood debris and 18 large woody debris piles was removed. In addition, in order to alleviate the potential for water over Highway 395, 2,250 cubic yards of flood debris and eight tons of willows were removed from the Cradlebaugh slough at Cradlebaugh Bridge.

The Stormwater Maintenance Division is also preparing for spring runoff and potential flooding by clearing culverts, roadside ditches and other drainage ways, as well as drop inlets and storm drains.